The US government's economic envoy to Northern Ireland has played down tensions over the Ulster Unionist Party refusal to back the devolution of policing and justice powers.
Addressing the Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust President's Dinner at Parliament Buildings in Stormont, Declan Kelly defended the right of parties to vote with their conscience.
Both US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President George Bush contacted the UUP and their political allies in the Conservative Party in efforts to have Ulster Unionists vote in favour of devolution.
On Friday Mr Kelly said: "We recognise that in the past several days there have been difficult decisions to be made by all the parties involved and we respect the rights of every party to make the decisions it deemed necessary.
"The important thing is that democracy again functioned here in this region and in this Assembly as it should, and people were able to make decisions based on the principle of majority whilst also respecting the rights of everyone to voice their opinion and cast their vote in whatever way they deemed appropriate.
"I am certain that every one of you shares a commitment towards building a bright economic future for this wonderful region.
"You can honour that commitment while also preserving the integrity of your institutions and how they should function.
Mr Kelly said he brought a message of congratulations from the American government, especially President Barack Obama and Mrs Clinton, on the passing of the devolution measures this week which pave the way for the transfer of powers from Westminster by 12 April.
Speaking ahead of St Patrick's Day events in Washington next week where First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will meet President Obama, Mr Kelly said Northern Ireland was well placed to secure economic, as well as political progress, in the months and years ahead.
© Press Association